First customers will benefit from complete sets of MacGregor's new three-tier-high plate construction type lashing bridges

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has secured an order for lashing bridges for three 18,000 TEU container ships to be built at Waigaoqiao Shipyard in China. The contract includes the design and fabrication of the lashing bridge steel structure of approx. 5400 tons, and an option for three further vessels.

The new plate type three tier high lashing bridges are a combination of steel profile and plate construction and provide advantages in terms of weight, less welding and less surfaces subject to hidden corrosion. They also enable interchangeability and user-friendly positioning of lashing rods.

"This contract is based on strong technical co-operation with the ship owner and the shipyard over approximately a six month's period", says Petri Haukikari, Sales Manager at MacGregor Dry Cargo. "It is important to understand that the lashing bridge is a vital part of cargo system, and not just a hull component. By promoting such cargo system -based thinking we can provide several advantages for the shipyards and shipowners.

The main benefit for the shipyard is that we can reduce the costs and expensive changes during the manufacturing process of the newbuildings. The key benefit for the shipowners and operators is the higher cargo intake capacity and thereby better earnings throughout the lifetime of the vessel. We should not either neglect the fact that more efficient fleets also have an important role in reducing the emissions of transportation industry globally."

Caption: Lashing bridge is a vital part of the container ship's cargo system. With a proper cargo system design, the ship's capacity will be secured.

MacGregor is the world's leading brand of engineering solutions and services for handling marine cargoes and offshore loads. MacGregor products serve the maritime transportation, offshore and naval logistics markets, in ports and terminals as well as on board ships. Our cargo flow solutions integrate cargo access, stowage, care and handling functions to suit a particular ship's cargo profile. This benefits its productivity, environmental impact and profitable service lifetime. www.macgregor.com

MacGregor is part of Cargotec. Cargotec's sales totalled approximately EUR 3.2 billion in 2013 and it employs approximately 11,000 people. Cargotec's class B shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki under symbol CGCBV. www.cargotec.com